Community : All Content - Variax Guitars / Bass / Workbench

distortion on D string piezo

support@line6.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:54:14 GMT

Hi Sam

The distortion you are hearing from the D string is almost certainly a piezo pickup issue in either that the piezo module is dying or the conection to the module is loose or otherwise damaged. When removing strings it is necessary to trim off the coiled string end that has been wrapped around the machine head post otherwise this can snag on the fine wires that connect the piezo module to the electronics as you pull the string out of the rear of the guitar. Nevertheless it seems that it's fairly common for the piezo modules to die across the Variax range. I haven't experienced this yet on any of my Variaxes, but I have dealt with Line 6 UK Support on the phone regarding knobs for my Spider Valve, and the lady I spoke to was incredibly helpful and put a couple of knobs in the post which I got the next day. Having seen reports from other people on these forums - specifically about piezo issues, the response has pretty much been the same across the board as far as I can see. There's two ways to get this resolved: raise a support ticket here and your request will be forwarded to UK Support who will probably contact you by private message through your account here, by phone (as they did with me) or by email. Replacing the piezo is fairly straightforward I understand so it is possible for you to do it yourself or to get the work done by an authorised repair centre/competent guitar technician - largely depends on your warranty I suppose.

HTH

Nick

Variax Bass Pickguard Material

support@line6.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:42:22 GMT

I have been to several sites MightyMite, Stewmac and allparts but it is very confusing. Looking at their caalogue pictures, on some sites, the black Pearl seems to resemble the color and texture of the Variax Bass pickguard and on others, the Silver Pearl. To start of I must make sure weher the color is Black Pearl or Silver Pearl. Maybe Line6 can help me on this because they will know for sure.

Regards, Carlo

Variax 300 Strange behaviour

support@line6.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:00:35 GMT

I just bought a 300 that didn't come with an XPS power supply. I've been using my rechargeable AAs as I had them on-hand and not alkalines. I'm only getting about 2-3 hours of life from the rechargeables before I have to spend a half-hour charging them from 3/4 to full. I can't find an XPS for sale anywhere. What spec 9V wall wart could I use as a power supply if it came down to it; and has anyone here kitbashed a working alternative power supply?

Locking tuners for Variax 700 electric?

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:23:44 GMT

they give you these little pieces of metal to put under the roller bridge if you remove too much wood. there different thicknesses to bring the nut up to proper height. if you do it right you dont have to shim it you just screw it down and your set.

but since its not an easy thing to get it perfect first time they give you those shims to make everything right if you make a mistake. i didnt need them.

Re-open Firmware Corrupted on Variax500

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:06:37 GMT

Hi Line 6Miller!

I'm back. Sorry for the long absence but I'm in the middle and running late on a Christmas Album that has to be out at the end of this month and also, my internet line has been down (Thanks to a Thunderstorm) so I'm having a fight with Telkom to get it up and running again. In desperation I am actually doing this from an Internet Cafe. My Internet should be up again in the next few days and then we can resume normal communication. PS. My problem is still alive and kicking!

This is the last communication I had from you before the interruption and I would appreciate it if we can pick up from here.

>Hello,

>Having a friend in Canada certainly does help as we have a distributor in Canada (actually in Montreal).

>Before we go any further let me just make sure I have everything covered here.

>Is this Variax under warranty? You said you've had it for only a few weeks correct?

>You've tried reinstalling the flash memory in the guitar to no avail as it will not connect to Monkey at >all through your POD correct?

>Have you tried interfacing the guitar with something other than the POD IE: a Variax Workbench >Interface?

>Please let me know and then we can move forward with trying to get you the part you need.

>Line6Miller

My Answer:

Yes, the Variax is still under warranty as I only had it for a few weeks before it packed up.

Yes, I have tried reinstalling the flash memory in the guitar to no avail as it will not connect to Monkey at all through my POD and also freezes the POD when connecting to it via the rj45 connector.

No, I have not tried interfacing the guitar with another interface besides the POD as I don’t have accesss to any other interface but I successfully connected via the POD using another 500 and 600.

PS. Is it not possible to get the parts to me via Marshall Music/Active Music Distribution in Johannesburg, South Africa. I was given the impression that they are the Line6 distributers in South Africa?

Thanks for the support so far. It has been great and re-assuring

Regards, Carlo

Gauge of strings for el. variax 700 to have more authentic acoustic sound

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:22:20 GMT

I would suggest going for the thicker strings, as thick as possible IMHO. If you are still finding it not sounding good enough to you, you could try acoustic steel strings. However, that would obviously compromise the electric guitar model tones...

Variax 700 will not stay in tune?

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:18:08 GMT

this might help.

RMA status 11487

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:06:01 GMT

UPDATE A FEW MONTHS LATER.....

I just had to update this post. Line6 did return my guitar, repaired, within about two weeks (including coast to coast travel time).

Now that the guitar is working, I LOVE IT. I play it exclusively in a classic rock band (rythm guitar), as a solo singer/songwriter, and an acoustic duo. No troubles, just great fun and playability, and AWESOME sounds.

I have found the presets to be amazingly useful:

Square neck - (Honky Tonk Women, Jenny Jenny, Crossroads)
12 string (Behind Blue Eyes, Nights in white Satin)
Mandolin (Losing my religion), 12 string (Behind Blue Eyes, Nights in white Satin)
Dreadnaught, C&W - general purpose 6 string
Nylon (Something, Sweet Baby James)

I also find the neck to be pleasing, and I can play for hours without the discomfort I find on my Martin. Stays in tune. It's an attractive, well made guitar. Nothing not to love.

Just wish it had a built in tuner. And rechargable batteries.

THANKS LINE 6!

Variax Workbench fails at startup

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:57:18 GMT

Speaking of which, I should have seen your reply in this thread before starting another question of mine of the same problem. My bad. At least I've found the solution...

Variax Workbench installation problem...

support@line6.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:12:46 GMT

Nevermind guys, I've found the solution. I went on the Java site, and installed the 1.50 version. Had Java 6 installed before, needed the previous version. Thanks again...